Award ‘humbling’

If you get into trouble in the water around Titahi Bay this summer, the chances are you’ll be in very good hands.

Titahi Bay Surf Life Saving Club patrol captain Nick Mulcahy was named lifeguard of the year at Surf Life Saving New Zealand’s Awards of Excellence dinner in Wellington on September 20.

He was recognised for his skill, dedication and the development programme he has helped establish at Titahi Bay.

Mulcahy runs the patrol teams and has run community education programmes for residents and new migrants to Porirua.

He was ‘‘stoked, humbled and proud’’ to receive the accolade.

‘‘You don’t do what you do for the awards, but it’s great to be a part of a great club and know you’re helping an awesome community,’’ he said.

Mulcahy began patrolling as a 14-year-old at Lyall Bay, but took up with the Titahi Bay club because of competition links with Steven Kent and the McDowalls. There are 30 new lifeguards under his gaze at the moment, many products of a successful junior programme run by Peter Jones, he said.

‘‘ We’re attracting new members all the time and that’s great,’’ he said.

‘‘We have a good mix of young and old, and it just adds to that family atmosphere in the Bay.’’

Surf Life Saving New Zealand chief executive Paul Dalton said Mulcahy had shown great leadership and was a mentor for the lifeguards in his club.